Project 2061
Algebra Textbooks
A Standards-Based Evaluation


Browse evaluations of algebra textbooks
Make comparisons of data
Examine Project 2061's analysis procedure
Find out how the evaluation was conducted
Learn how to use the features of this report
Explore how to use the results of the evaluation
 
Using the Data Sets

The data interface allows easy access to the information in two ways. Click on Browse Evaluations and data sets 1 through 8 can be browsed. Click on Compare Data and data sets 2, 3, and 5 can be compared on screen. For example, graphs of instructional quality on the Functions Idea Set can be displayed side by side for two different textbook series. Or, the Content Analysis and Instructional Analysis for the same textbook can be viewed simultaneously. All of the files can be printed for closer study.

The following list of possible uses for each data set is not comprehensive, but suggests some of the ways to take advantage of the Browse and Compare options.

 
  1. Background Information - contains relevant summary information about the textbooks. Browse the description to (a) see the authors and publisher, (b) find a variety of types of information, including the main mathematics topics, the typical lesson activities, the assessment design, and the cost of the books, (c) locate references for studies of student achievement or reviews that might have been completed, and (d) link to publisher's and developer's Web sites.

  2. Content Analysis - describes the extent to which the content of the textbook series attempts to address the substance and level of sophistication of the ideas in each idea set. Browse these in-depth content summaries for each idea set or examine summaries for two textbooks side by side and Compare (a) how many of the ideas in the idea set are addressed substantively, (b) what kinds of activities and lessons are employed to address the ideas, and (c) how the ideas are developed.

  3. Instructional Analysis - describes the quality of instruction including the ratings for each criterion and idea set and an in-depth discussion of the ratings. Browse the ratings and in-depth discussion for each instructional category or examine the instructional analysis for two textbooks side by side and Compare (a) the strengths and weaknesses across idea sets in the ratings charts, (b) the strengths and weaknesses in individual criteria in the ratings charts, (c) examples that justify and clarify the reasons for the ratings.

  4. Instructional Ratings - shows how the ratings were tabulated by displaying the indicators and scoring scheme for each instructional criterion. In addition, notes by the analysis teams are provided. Browse the ratings on the 21 instructional criteria and their indicators for each idea set to (a) see the rating guidelines and how each indicator contributed to the rating, (b) review the ratings of analysts and read their notes, and (c) examine which idea sets and which indicators elicited the most and least agreement among the analysts. Please note that no numerical ratings were assigned for criteria in Category VII.

  5. Graphs - depicts the ratings for the 21 instructional criteria averaged in two ways: across all three idea sets (providing an overall average rating for the textbook series) and across each of the three idea sets. Browse the different graphs or Compare the graphs for two textbooks side by side in order to (a) see the patterns of strength or weakness across the 21 criteria, and (b) see differences in strengths or weaknesses in particular idea sets, strands, or between concepts and skills.

  6. Rater Consistency - displays the percentage agreement between analysis teams for each of the three idea sets, a list of criteria on which the analysis teams disagreed, and an overall average percentage agreement for the series. Browse the data to (a) see the rater consistency across idea sets, (b) see the specific instructional criteria on which analysis teams disagreed, and (c) examine rater consistency across textbook series and idea sets.

  7. Typical Sightings - provides an example of the evidence examined by the analysis teams. The location (book, page number, activity description) of a sighting that typifies the textbook's treatment of each criterion is provided along with the average rating for each of 21 instructional criteria. Browse the cited page numbers and activities to (a) make a guided review of a textbook series to get an overall sense of its average quality on each of the 24 instructional criteria, and (b) make a guided review of several textbook series, examining their quality using the typical sightings.

  8. Sightings by Idea Set - lists the location (book, page number, activity description) of all the evidence examined by the analysis teams. Browse the number and types of lessons, activities, or exercises that address each idea set to (a) get an estimate of the amount of coverage for key idea sets, (b) see the balance of content coverage across grade levels, (c) see the balance of coverage in lessons, exercises, teacher notes, or other material, and (d) locate and examine actual activities in the textbooks that address the selected ideas.
Example Scenarios for Applying the Results

Copyright © 2002 American Association for the Advancement of Science